Evaluation of the Efficacy of Laser Acupuncture on Uremic Pruritus

Last updated: December 22, 2025
Sponsor: Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Nephropathy

Rash

Kidney Failure (Pediatric)

Treatment

laser acupuncture

Clinical Study ID

NCT06875115
B11301036
  • Ages 20-90
  • All Genders

Study Summary

Sixty patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=30) receiving laser acupuncture or the control group (n=30) receiving sham laser acupuncture. Treatment sessions were conducted during dialysis sessions. The experimental group received laser acupuncture at Xuehai, Quchi, and Bai Chongwo acupoints three times per week for four weeks. The control group received sham laser acupuncture at the same acupoints. The 5-D Pruritus Scale and DLQI were used to assess pruritus severity before and after the intervention.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥ 20 years.

  • Intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels < 68 pg/mL (patients with -thyroidectomyexcluded).

  • Urea nitrogen (BUN) clearance rate (Kt/V) ≥ 1.2 at each dialysis session.

  • Serum phosphate levels < 5.5 mg/dL.

  • Receiving hemodialysis three times weekly for at least three consecutive months.

  • No history of acute illnesses like infections or cardiovascular disease.

  • Avoiding a high-phosphorus diet.

  • Adjusting dialysate calcium concentration to 8.6-10 mg/dL.

  • Replacing the artificial kidney or increasing dialysis blood flow

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant or nursing.

  • History of photosensitivity.

  • Recent use of systemic or local medications for pruritus (e.g., immunosuppressants,opioid agonists/antagonists, glucocorticoids, antihistamines, ultraviolet Btherapy).

  • Hepatobiliary dysfunction based on medical history and liver function tests.

  • Malignancies.

  • Other itchy skin conditions diagnosed by a dermatologist.

  • Wounds near acupuncture points, contraindicating laser acupuncture

Study Design

Total Participants: 60
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: laser acupuncture
Phase:
Study Start date:
April 09, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
April 11, 2025

Study Description

The subjects were divided into two groups to investigate whether laser acupuncture can improve uremic pruritus.

Connect with a study center

  • Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital

    Dalin, Chiayi 622
    Taiwan

    Site Not Available

  • Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital

    Dalin 1668139, Chiayi 622
    Taiwan

    Site Not Available

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